Hensingham are just one game away from a second successive National Conference promotion.
Weather permitting they take on Pilkington Recs in St Helens for the right to play in Division One next year.
They went up from Division Three via the play-offs last season and another lift in playing fortunes is testament to the work put in by coach Kris Coward and the support he’s had from the players.
After last week’s play-off semi-final win – also in St Helens against Clock Face Miners – Hensingham won the highest praise from Coward.
The former Workington and Whitehaven forward said: “I couldn’t be more proud of how they performed. It was a proper team performance with everyone playing for each other.
“We have a young squad and they have responded so well to whatever they face on the pitch.
“We like throwing the ball around if we can but in other situations we have shown ourselves capable of grinding out a result.
“We did concede the first points at Clock Face but we hit back with 22 unanswered points and they didn’t score again until late on when the game was won.
“Pilks are a team who also like to play open rugby and I’m sure it’s going to bne a tight affair.
“But we are taking a strong squad and are going there with two buses so won’t be short of supporters, and I know there are a few going down in cars.
“It is a 3G pitch and that can cause problems with the bounce of the ball, and with 50mph winds forecast there could be issues.
“These pitches also tend to be slippery in wet weather so it’s unlikely to be conditions to suit either team.
“We are going there in good heart, with a strong squad of players and I know they will all be doing their best.”
Hensingham have extra incentive to win this one as promotion would give them derby matches against Kells and Egremont next season.
